New
New
Year 1
Explain that numbers can represent how many objects there are in a set
I can recognise how many objects there are in a small set without counting them.
New
New
Year 1
Explain that numbers can represent how many objects there are in a set
I can recognise how many objects there are in a small set without counting them.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Counting rhymes help to link the name with the numeral, the cardinal value and the position in the linear number system.
- Numbers can represent how many objects there are in a set.
- For small sets, we can subitise to identify quantity instead of counting.
Keywords
Count - To say the number words in order, the last number tells how many there are in the whole set.
Subitise - Instantly recognising the number of objects in a small group, without counting.
Zero to ten
Common misconception
Children may rely on counting all and may not count accurately when given unfamiliar arrangements.
Children need to build familiarity with different arrangements of number. Comment on what you notice eg. 'I can see 3 and 1, I can see 4'.
This lesson helps children to move away from counting to 5 to perceptual, and then conceptual, subitising. Explore further arrangements that encourage conceptual subitising throughout the day e.g. show 4 as 2 fingers on one hand and 2 on the other.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
What is the next number in the count? 1, 2, 3 ….
2
3
Q2.
What is the next number in the count? 1, 2, 3, 4 ….
3
4
Q3.
How many chicks are there?
2
4
Q4.
How many counters are there?
4
6
Q5.
Lucas thinks there are 3 counters here. What mistake has he made?
He has counted them all.
He has counted one twice.
Q6.
Aisha thinks there are 5 cubes here. Is she right?
No
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
What does count mean?
We find one more than a number.
We find one less than a number.
Q2.
What does subitise mean?
To find one more than a number.
To find one less than a number.
Q3.
How many counters can you see?
1
3
Q4.
How many fingers can you see?
3
4
Q5.
Lucas thinks there are 4 counters here. Is he right?
Yes
Q6.
Aisha thinks there are 5 counters here. Is she right?
No
Additional material
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